William Perlman/The Star-LedgerMelky Cabrera helped the Yankees to the 2009 World Series championship.

NEW YORK — Melky Cabrera’s official ties to the Yankees have long been severed. But when it comes to the team that discovered him, groomed him and ultimately parted with him, his bonds were never fully broken.

Even after he was traded away after the 2009 season, Cabrera worked out in the winter with his longtime mentor, Alex Rodriguez. During those workouts, he often reconnected with his hitting coach going back to the minor leagues, Kevin Long. And when his career hit bottom before his unexpected ascent, he shared the steps of the journey with his best friend in the game, Robinson Cano.

So when news spread of Cabrera’s positive test for a performance-enhancing drug, and his subsequent 50-game suspension, a sense of surprise and disappointment pervaded in the Yankees clubhouse.

Cano called it a “sad day,” which came about a month after their paths crossed in Kansas City, when both started in the All-Star Game.

“But I’m his friend, I’m going to be there for him, that’s what a friend is all about,” said Cano, who was surprised by the news.

Rodriguez pledged his support for Cabrera, calling himself a “believer and a friend.”

“I saw he made a statement,” said Rodriguez, whose career has also been tainted by steroids use. “That’s always a good first step — and sometimes the hardest.”

Through a statement issued by the players’ union, Cabrera acknowledged his positive test for an elevated level of testosterone, a performance-enhancing drug under baseball’s policy. His suspension without pay is effective immediately.

“My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used,” Cabrera said in the statement. “I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down.”

Cabrera, 27, leads the big leagues with 159 hits. The switch-hitter also hit 11 homers and knocked in 69 runs, part of a career-best year. He’s set to become a free agent at season’s end. The timing of his positive test could cost him millions.

“I played with Melky so I always thought he was a good player,” Yankees captain Derek Jeter said, when asked if the PED suspension would change his view of Cabrera as a player. “I know Melky’s very talented and he has a lot of great tools, he played well for us when he was here … Melky’s always been talented.”

Talent was never an issue for Cabrera, who the Yankees hoped would blossom into a star center fielder. But for all of his physical skills, Cabrera also battled the perception that he partied too hard off the field.

Following a World Series championship, the Yankees traded Cabrera to the Braves, where he hit just .255 in 2010. Rather than re-sign him for 2011, the Braves released Cabrera, who landed with the Royals. They were rewarded for betting on Cabrera, who turned himself into a tradable commodity, hitting a career-high .305.

With his trade value restored, the Royals dealt him to the Giants for pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. Until Wednesday, it appeared to be one of the most one-sided trades in recent memory. Sanchez was eventually released while Cabrera blossomed into a superstar, hitting a career-high .346.

But as late as last month, Cabrera denied rumors of a positive test. His suspension covers the remainder of the regular season and the first four games of the playoffs, if the Giants qualify.

“He’s a young man, and has a great opportunity — and challenge — to turn a negative into a positive,” said Rodriguez, who admitted to PED use in 2009. “You hope he does that.”

Both Rodriguez and Jeter said the positive test validated baseball’s drug testing program.

“That’s why you have it, to filter that out,” Jeter said. “It’s working.”